The “Mindset List” for freshmen starting college or university this year (2012, and thus set to graduate as the class of 2016) has been posted (HT Inside Higher Ed). That’s the list of things which have always or never been the case for these students, and which those of us significantly older than them may find it hard to imagine. Here are some that really struck me:
The Biblical sources of terms such as “Forbidden Fruit,” “The writing on the wall,” “Good Samaritan,” and “The Promised Land” are unknown to most of them.
Having grown up with MP3s and iPods, they never listen to music on the car radio and really have no use for radio at all.
Women have always piloted war planes and space shuttles.
White House security has never felt it necessary to wear rubber gloves when gay groups have visited.
Slavery has always been unconstitutional in Mississippi, and Southern Baptists have always been apologizing for supporting it in the first place.
Before they purchase an assigned textbook, they will investigate whether it is available for rent or purchase as an e-book.
They watch television everywhere but on a television.
Despite being preferred urban gathering places, two-thirds of the independent bookstores in the United States have closed for good during their lifetimes.
Genomes of living things have always been sequenced.
Click through, take a look at the list, and let me know which strike you the most.
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